That Florida QB looked like senior in his play and our QB looked like a lost freshman.
Thoughts on the Cats loss to Florida
- Thread starter UKErik
- Start date
Then you aren't looking at the big picture. UK hasn't scored a TD in 6 quarters. Dawson is starting to be highly suspect with his scheme, and supporting his critics that said he wasn't even the main guy in his prior regime.
And on the flip side, I am sure Florida believes this wouldn't have even been a game had they made their plays....1st and goal from the 5 and they throw a corner lob route...lol. Stoops should have walked over and thanked them for that. A couple of runs and they are up 21-3.
No TE use (again), no FB, no keeping an extra back to help on blitz (that 60K knew was coming), can't sustain a drive, and Towles is a huge ? mark. Barker must really be lacking.
Sure, 4-1 is a possibility, but this team is a couple of plays from being 1-2 or even 0-3. So if you aren't discouraged, then you are taking the looking at one side of the coin only.
Or you're a UNC fan troll wearing a gold chain.
Last night sucked and it was very discouraging to see the offense fail to step up and seize the victory. But this program is on the path to respectability, just as it was under Brooks.
This reminds me exactly of Year 3 under Brooks, there were signs that things were turning around but the team wasn't great yet and there was a lot of fan grumbling and that "Ditch Mitch and Rich" horsecrap.
I was highly encouraged to see the defense play so well.
Game boils down 100% to qb play.
Our rb's outplayed them
Our defense played them even
Florida had a qb that STEPPED UP IN THE POCKET when the o-line broke down and trusted his legs to get positive yards most of the time. Go back and watch the tape. EVERY SINGLE TIME Florida would get pressure, Patrick would try to escape laterally. Either it's taught or it's him panicking, but either way it's the wrong technique.
Switch quarterbacks and we win 21-7. That's sad considering our opponent had a rs frosh qb making his first start, but it's the truth. Grier took an over matched o-line and made it into an advantage. Our guy (and staff) just kept letting a team rush at him wife outside and get punked.
Our rb's outplayed them
Our defense played them even
Florida had a qb that STEPPED UP IN THE POCKET when the o-line broke down and trusted his legs to get positive yards most of the time. Go back and watch the tape. EVERY SINGLE TIME Florida would get pressure, Patrick would try to escape laterally. Either it's taught or it's him panicking, but either way it's the wrong technique.
Switch quarterbacks and we win 21-7. That's sad considering our opponent had a rs frosh qb making his first start, but it's the truth. Grier took an over matched o-line and made it into an advantage. Our guy (and staff) just kept letting a team rush at him wife outside and get punked.
What blitz? They were getting home with 4 the vast majority of the time. We did go max protection, which gives you 2-3 routes against a team with an All American on one corner. LOL. You All-Madden offensive coordinators crack me up.
Air Raid OC and old school HC may take a while to get on the same page. Not enough defensive depth to be really fast and aggressive.
The tackles are bad. Speed rushers split out very wide was begging for a chip bock by a TE.
Towles struggles with confidence. Add drops, conservative play calling, and sieves at tackle I am not surprised at all to see that performance.
The tackles are bad. Speed rushers split out very wide was begging for a chip bock by a TE.
Towles struggles with confidence. Add drops, conservative play calling, and sieves at tackle I am not surprised at all to see that performance.
-2 dropped td passes. Enough said.
-6 sacks. Enough said
-stick to bball. Its easier to understand.
-6 sacks. Enough said
-stick to bball. Its easier to understand.
Well I guess I just need to accept the fact UK will never beat Florida in my lifetime. Missouri has a strong defense too. Kentucky isn't going to beat them.
That's ridiculous. The UF QB threw for a whopping 125 yards. Other than a couple of runs where we should have had him corraled, the guy was pretty mediocre.
Right on the money Erik! I was at the game with the wife and my boys and I have NEVER seen Commonwealth rocking like it was. The support for the team was off the charts. It was a real shame that the offense laid an egg like it did. Really proud of the defense. On to Missouri who also has a solid defense. Something really needs to change this week offensively or we can fully expect the same sad results against Missouri. That change might need to involve Drew Barker and a revamped offensive scheme.
We should've taken the hint in the spring that the OL was paltry. UK was forced to move natural OGs Mosier and GAA to RT because guys like Meadows and Haynes weren't getting it done. By moving those 2 out of position UK actually weakened 2 spots, OG and RT. Poor Meadows couldn't block grandma in a phone booth. Stoops is in a tough spot....OL can't protect an inaccurate QB who has no time to throw to WRs who can't catch. Catch-22.
The poor offensive performance was a team effort in every sense. The OL was schooled by UF's front 4. Dawson's ultra conservative play calling on early downs consistently put us behind the chains. Why we don't pass more on early downs to set up the run is beyond me. The receivers had their share of drops. Towles deserves plenty of blame as well, as he did miss on several throws that could have made a difference. I doubt an inexperienced QB like Barker would have fared any better against UF, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him get a shot against Mizzou.
I thought the issues you brought up were caused by UFs Defense swarming UKs Offense! When Towles was pressured he definitely rushed throws, but when he was given time he connected! Then when he was able to connect his passes were dropped. Badet was good! Boom could deliver when he had holes, but trouble was those closed fast same with kemp! UF seemed good all over and covered their bases. And UKs Defense was really clicking kept the game where UK could win! You couldn't ask more than that from a Defense. I still see a good bowl game for the Cats!!
Game really boiled down to missed opportunities. If the receivers make those catches we've got 14 points instead of 3 and Towles numbers look a bit better.
I just don't understand why Towles didn't try to run it up the gut more. The middle of the field was WIDE open. It's as if Dawson has refused to allow Towles to use his god given running ability to help out the offensive line.
Dawson called perhaps the best offensive game in a decade in the first half of South Carolina, but has fell in love with running the ball in the last 3 halves of football.
This was probably our best chance to catch Florida we've had in years. And we totally blew it. I'll never pick UK to beat Florida again until they actually do. It takes some real effort to lose to a team 29 years in a row. That's just unbelievable. Every other team has beaten Florida at some point, but we just seem to mentally be unable to do it. I don't get it.
Oh well, on to Missouri. If we beat Missouri the Florida game is just a bump in the road for this season. Beat Mizzou and we're pretty much guaranteed a bowl trip. I'm surprised so many are ready to jump ship after one game.
I just don't understand why Towles didn't try to run it up the gut more. The middle of the field was WIDE open. It's as if Dawson has refused to allow Towles to use his god given running ability to help out the offensive line.
Dawson called perhaps the best offensive game in a decade in the first half of South Carolina, but has fell in love with running the ball in the last 3 halves of football.
This was probably our best chance to catch Florida we've had in years. And we totally blew it. I'll never pick UK to beat Florida again until they actually do. It takes some real effort to lose to a team 29 years in a row. That's just unbelievable. Every other team has beaten Florida at some point, but we just seem to mentally be unable to do it. I don't get it.
Oh well, on to Missouri. If we beat Missouri the Florida game is just a bump in the road for this season. Beat Mizzou and we're pretty much guaranteed a bowl trip. I'm surprised so many are ready to jump ship after one game.
I didn't see them get open much last night, but maybe I just missed it. Not trying to explain away Towles' performance, though, because he definitely wasn't good enough either. After what we've seen out of him over the last 8-9 games, I'm confident that he's not the kind of QB to lead our team to anything more than a low-tier bowl appearance.
Well Missouri has a really good defense too so UK isn't beating them. I don't think people are jumping ship after one game. It's mainly just the streak living on that is frustrating people.
I really think if UK scores 6 in that 1st drive they win the game. The beast still eats at the cats
Pocket presence is Towles biggest weakness.
Pass protection is a team effort. Edge Defenders are rushing upfield to the outside shoulder of the QB. So, OT's are taught to push the defender upfield, and the QB is taught to step up. The result? The edge rusher just flies by, giving the QB a few more seconds. Rather than step up,Towles tries rolling out (to outrun the defender who already has a full head of steam) or he tries backing up; which plays right into what the defender wants.
Combine this terrible pocket presence with a tendency to hold the ball for too long; and its a bad combination.
That said, Towles was legitimately sacked about 2-3 times due to poor OL play. The remainder were on him. Especially the last one. He had all the time he needed to AT LEAST throw it away. Instead he tried outrunning a defender laterally; and it cost us.
Some on this board have their heads in the sand. Yes, a couple of passes were dropped and that's frustrating but we have a QB issue and to make matters worse we have an offensive coordinator issue.
Towles is terribly inaccurate and on top of that he has no awareness or feel for the game at all. You can't sit stationary for 7 seconds with the ball and think that good things are going to happen. When he didn't get sacked he would throw a lame duck or a high floater that got away from him. He is a problem, blame it on the receivers all you want but it all starts with Towles.
Now as far as the offensive coordinator, the play calling was awful. It was predictable and didn't fit the situation. When your O line is getting run over you don't design passing plays that take 7 seconds to execute. You also don't run the ball right up the middle unless it's a draw.
Florida was ripe for a screen play or quick slants by the receivers. Maybe an out pass to the TE. Do something different. He ran the same crap all night long.
Towles needs to get rid of the ball much quicker. Receivers are going to drop balls but you aren't going to beat good teams with Towles. We got lucky last week, USC couldn't complete the comeback, they were sleepwalking in the first half and got bit by our running attack but Towles was exposed last week, he looked really bad and Florida's coaches knew that. Now so does everyone else.
Towles is terribly inaccurate and on top of that he has no awareness or feel for the game at all. You can't sit stationary for 7 seconds with the ball and think that good things are going to happen. When he didn't get sacked he would throw a lame duck or a high floater that got away from him. He is a problem, blame it on the receivers all you want but it all starts with Towles.
Now as far as the offensive coordinator, the play calling was awful. It was predictable and didn't fit the situation. When your O line is getting run over you don't design passing plays that take 7 seconds to execute. You also don't run the ball right up the middle unless it's a draw.
Florida was ripe for a screen play or quick slants by the receivers. Maybe an out pass to the TE. Do something different. He ran the same crap all night long.
Towles needs to get rid of the ball much quicker. Receivers are going to drop balls but you aren't going to beat good teams with Towles. We got lucky last week, USC couldn't complete the comeback, they were sleepwalking in the first half and got bit by our running attack but Towles was exposed last week, he looked really bad and Florida's coaches knew that. Now so does everyone else.
First game in the 'New & Improved' Commonwealth was sold-out with 63,000+ 'blue screamin' meanees' on hand. 
I've kept on telling everyone that Grier can run, but NOBODY (even my guys) would listen. chomp
chomp
Before the season is over, they may need Harris, but not because Grier can't run the ball.
Grier 6-2 215 - 19 for 132 yds, 6.0 ypc, 2 TD's, L-38 yds.
Harris 5-11 195 - 8 for 59 yds, 6.9 ypc, 0 TD's, L-22 yds.
As the O-line continues to grow, learn, and improve, so goes the Gator (and Cat's) offense.
29-0 continues. Nice Stadium re-do, good game, so maybe you guys will get the win next time....
QB Will Grier rsFr:
R - 12 for 61 yds, 5.1 ypc with 1 TD.
P - 13 of 22, 52% for 125 yds with 1 (endzone) Int., 2 sacks for -8 yds.
QB Patrick Towles -(unlike WG, pre-season rated as one of the SEC's best)
Passing - 8 of 24, 33% for 2 Int's and 6 sacks for -50 yds.
Towles only had 43 passing yds in the game until he connected with Jeff Bodet for a 45-yard pass late in the second half, (due to the combination of UF's front 6 and back 5).
UK Team Rushing - 41 for 115 yds, 2.8 ypc, 0 TD's.
UK's Total Offense - 241 yds and 3 FG's for the night.
(from what I've seen so far, Tenn just might be in trouble when they play the wildcats, so good luck to you and your guys in that game)
On Towles 33 yard run, VH-3 was not only held, he was tackled and then laid down on. - No Call
Plus the refts picked up a flag on a late hit personal foul on Grier. - No Call (was BS imo)![[jumpingsmile]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/happy/happy0028.r191677.gif "Jumping Smile [jumpingsmile]")
I think that the Gator's got hosed on several more of the official's calls and/or no-calls, but at least I don't think that the crappy SEC official calls changed the outcome of the game.
Gator Defense - 3 Gms: 25 TFL, 11 Sacks, 4 Ints, 3 FF's, Opp Pts 46/3 = 15.3 ppg
Towles, and your offense in general, will likely do better against other defenses.
While the Gators are not running up eye-popping stats, they are doing well in the most important stat:
W/L 3-0, 1-0 SEC.
I've kept on telling everyone that Grier can run, but NOBODY (even my guys) would listen. chomp
Before the season is over, they may need Harris, but not because Grier can't run the ball.
Grier 6-2 215 - 19 for 132 yds, 6.0 ypc, 2 TD's, L-38 yds.
Harris 5-11 195 - 8 for 59 yds, 6.9 ypc, 0 TD's, L-22 yds.
As the O-line continues to grow, learn, and improve, so goes the Gator (and Cat's) offense.
29-0 continues. Nice Stadium re-do, good game, so maybe you guys will get the win next time....
QB Will Grier rsFr:
R - 12 for 61 yds, 5.1 ypc with 1 TD.
P - 13 of 22, 52% for 125 yds with 1 (endzone) Int., 2 sacks for -8 yds.
QB Patrick Towles -(unlike WG, pre-season rated as one of the SEC's best)
Passing - 8 of 24, 33% for 2 Int's and 6 sacks for -50 yds.
Towles only had 43 passing yds in the game until he connected with Jeff Bodet for a 45-yard pass late in the second half, (due to the combination of UF's front 6 and back 5).
UK Team Rushing - 41 for 115 yds, 2.8 ypc, 0 TD's.
UK's Total Offense - 241 yds and 3 FG's for the night.
(from what I've seen so far, Tenn just might be in trouble when they play the wildcats, so good luck to you and your guys in that game)
On Towles 33 yard run, VH-3 was not only held, he was tackled and then laid down on. - No Call
Plus the refts picked up a flag on a late hit personal foul on Grier. - No Call (was BS imo)
I think that the Gator's got hosed on several more of the official's calls and/or no-calls, but at least I don't think that the crappy SEC official calls changed the outcome of the game.
Gator Defense - 3 Gms: 25 TFL, 11 Sacks, 4 Ints, 3 FF's, Opp Pts 46/3 = 15.3 ppg
Towles, and your offense in general, will likely do better against other defenses.
While the Gators are not running up eye-popping stats, they are doing well in the most important stat:
W/L 3-0, 1-0 SEC.
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First game in the 'New & Improved' Commonwealth was sold-out with 63,000+ 'blue screamin' meanees' on hand.
I've kept on telling everyone that Grier can run, but NOBODY (even my guys) would listen. chompchomp
Before the season is over, they may need Harris, but not because Grier can't run the ball.
Grier 6-2 215 - 19 for 132 yds, 6.0 ypc, 2 TD's, L-38 yds.
Harris 5-11 195 - 8 for 59 yds, 6.9 ypc, 0 TD's, L-22 yds.
As the O-line continues to grow, learn, and improve, so goes the Gator (and Cat's) offense.
29-0 continues. Nice Stadium re-do, good game, so maybe you guys will get the win next time....
QB Will Grier rsFr:
R - 12 for 61 yds, 5.1 ypc with 1 TD.
P - 13 of 22, 52% for 125 yds with 1 (endzone) Int., 2 sacks for -8 yds.
QB Patrick Towles -(unlike WG, pre-season rated as one of the SEC's best)
Passing - 8 of 24, 33% for 2 Int's and 6 sacks for -50 yds.
Towles only had 43 passing yds in the game until he connected with Jeff Bodet for a 45-yard pass late in the second half, (due to the combination of UF's front 6 and back 5).
UK Team Rushing - 41 for 115 yds, 2.8 ypc, 0 TD's.
UK's Total Offense - 241 yds and 3 FG's for the night.
(from what I've seen so far, Tenn just might be in trouble with they play the wildcats, so good luck to you and your guys in that game)
On Towles 33 yard run, VH-3 was not only held, he was tackled and then laid down on. - No Call
Plus the refts picked up a flag on a late hit personal foul on Grier. - No Call (was BS imo)
I think that the Gator's got hosed on several more of the official's calls and/or no-calls, but at least I don't think that the crappy SEC official calls changed the outcome of the game.
Gator Defense - 3 Gms: 25 TFL, 11 Sacks, 4 Ints, 3 FF's, Opp Pts 46/3 = 15.3 ppg
Towles, and your offense in general, will likely do better against other defenses.
While the Gators are not running up eye-popping stats, they are doing well in the most important stat:
W/L 3-0, 1-0 SEC.
Get out of here with this BS. Your team is garbage, we just don't have the balls to step up and beat you.
instaGATOR, did you watch Towles enough last night to make any conclusions about his decision making? There's a big debate on the board right now whether Towles can be anything other than mediocre because of his decision making and accuracy issues. What do you think? Other Florida fans feel free to share your opinion as well.
I have not watched Towles enough to make a truely 'informed' evaluation.
And going on only 1 game is at best, very incomplete.
But I do see some potential in him him given some time. QB's are almost always given to much of the credit for a win and to much blame for a loss. I agree with Stoops, I'm not going to throw your QB under the bus, there was plenty of blame in that game to go around.![[sick]](http://l.yimg.com/j/assets/img/emoticons/sick/sick0006.r191677.gif "Sick [sick]")
When he is getting pressured the way he was last night, both with the rush of the front 6 and the coverage of the back 5, it's pretty tough no matter who you are. UF played 5 in the secondary all night, (3 were 5 star recruits, both corners and the nickle, and the 2 safeties were highly rated 4 stars) none are freshmen, so they're probably the best that UK will play all season.
Those that are 'supposed to know' rated Towles as one of the best QB's in the SEC. Of course, those same 'knowledgeable' guys said that Auburn would be the SEC-C....
-- 
-- ![[poop]](https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/891/1682179.png "Poop [poop]")
![[pfftt]](https://ct.yimg.com/mr/uploads/891/1682173.gif "Pfffttt [pfftt]")
Go with Tammy and 'Stand By Your Man'......
And going on only 1 game is at best, very incomplete.
But I do see some potential in him him given some time. QB's are almost always given to much of the credit for a win and to much blame for a loss. I agree with Stoops, I'm not going to throw your QB under the bus, there was plenty of blame in that game to go around.
When he is getting pressured the way he was last night, both with the rush of the front 6 and the coverage of the back 5, it's pretty tough no matter who you are. UF played 5 in the secondary all night, (3 were 5 star recruits, both corners and the nickle, and the 2 safeties were highly rated 4 stars) none are freshmen, so they're probably the best that UK will play all season.
Those that are 'supposed to know' rated Towles as one of the best QB's in the SEC. Of course, those same 'knowledgeable' guys said that Auburn would be the SEC-C....
-- -- Go with Tammy and 'Stand By Your Man'......
First game in the 'New & Improved' Commonwealth was sold-out with 63,000+ 'blue screamin' meanees' on hand.
I've kept on telling everyone that Grier can run, but NOBODY (even my guys) would listen. chompchomp
Before the season is over, they may need Harris, but not because Grier can't run the ball.
Grier 6-2 215 - 19 for 132 yds, 6.0 ypc, 2 TD's, L-38 yds.
Harris 5-11 195 - 8 for 59 yds, 6.9 ypc, 0 TD's, L-22 yds.
As the O-line continues to grow, learn, and improve, so goes the Gator (and Cat's) offense.
29-0 continues. Nice Stadium re-do, good game, so maybe you guys will get the win next time....
QB Will Grier rsFr:
R - 12 for 61 yds, 5.1 ypc with 1 TD.
P - 13 of 22, 52% for 125 yds with 1 (endzone) Int., 2 sacks for -8 yds.
QB Patrick Towles -(unlike WG, pre-season rated as one of the SEC's best)
Passing - 8 of 24, 33% for 2 Int's and 6 sacks for -50 yds.
Towles only had 43 passing yds in the game until he connected with Jeff Bodet for a 45-yard pass late in the second half, (due to the combination of UF's front 6 and back 5).
UK Team Rushing - 41 for 115 yds, 2.8 ypc, 0 TD's.
UK's Total Offense - 241 yds and 3 FG's for the night.
(from what I've seen so far, Tenn just might be in trouble when they play the wildcats, so good luck to you and your guys in that game)
On Towles 33 yard run, VH-3 was not only held, he was tackled and then laid down on. - No Call
Plus the refts picked up a flag on a late hit personal foul on Grier. - No Call (was BS imo)
I think that the Gator's got hosed on several more of the official's calls and/or no-calls, but at least I don't think that the crappy SEC official calls changed the outcome of the game.
Gator Defense - 3 Gms: 25 TFL, 11 Sacks, 4 Ints, 3 FF's, Opp Pts 46/3 = 15.3 ppg
Towles, and your offense in general, will likely do better against other defenses.
While the Gators are not running up eye-popping stats, they are doing well in the most important stat:
W/L 3-0, 1-0 SEC.
Funny, you forgot to mention the blown unnecessary roughness call when Grier was blocking and got his bell rung that would have resulted in UF possession at the 1/2 yard line. It's clear you were watching the game with the orange/blue blinders on.
Thanks for sharing instaGATOR.I have not watched Towles enough to make a truely 'informed' evaluation.
And going on only 1 game is at best, very incomplete.
But I do see some potential in him him given some time. QB's are almost always given to much of the credit for a win and to much blame for a loss. I agree with Stoops, I'm not going to throw your QB under the bus, there was plenty of blame in that game to go around.
When he is getting pressured the way he was last night, both with the rush of the front 6 and the coverage of the back 5, it's pretty tough no matter who you are. UF played 5 in the secondary all night, (3 were 5 star recruits, both corners and the nickle, and the 2 safeties were highly rated 4 stars) none are freshmen, so they're probably the best that UK will play all season.
Those that are 'supposed to know' rated Towles as one of the best QB's in the SEC. Of course, those same 'knowledgeable' guys said that Auburn would be the SEC-C....
Go with Tammy and 'Stand By Your Man'......
I prefer my analysis with fewer emojis, but maybe that's just me.
My take is that UF's defense is very strong and offense is a liability. The main positive plays for UF were QB scrambles and some pretty acrobatic catches on some pretty bad throws. To be held to 250 yards and 2 scores (1 short field) by a very in-progress UK defense shouldn't be comforting to those in Gainesville.
Good game, though. Your guys made more plays. I think both sides have legitimate gripes with the refereeing.
My take is that UF's defense is very strong and offense is a liability. The main positive plays for UF were QB scrambles and some pretty acrobatic catches on some pretty bad throws. To be held to 250 yards and 2 scores (1 short field) by a very in-progress UK defense shouldn't be comforting to those in Gainesville.
Good game, though. Your guys made more plays. I think both sides have legitimate gripes with the refereeing.
I agree, and as long as they balance out and don't cost either team the game, I'm okay with it most times. Just like I don't care if they call the game tight or loose, as long as the call it the same for both sides.
I like the emo's because the typed word often falls short of conveying the 'attitudes' in what's being said.
UF's got a new HBC and the rsFr QB was in his 2nd start, 1st SEC road start.
The Defense is well developed and with excellent depth.
The Offense is the opposite of that, so we expect that they will grow across the season.
Here is what comfort that there is so far for me: W/L 3-0, 1-0 SEC.
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I liked how he only scored two TDs on us. What a crappy senior he would be at this juncture. lol
Are you serious with this?
Yea, it's pretty sad. Half of their points came on a 20 yard drive that took a 4th down scramble to finish on a play 95% of sec teams would have made a sack on. Kentucky has a qb that went 8/24 with 0 td and 2 int and yet is driving with 1st and 10 at midfield to win the game.
Florida is incredibly mediocre and is about to have another 6 loss season, which is why continuing to rack up losses against them in the streak is so painful.
Because we're a work in progress with most of our talent young yet we played right with one of the better SEC programs. Disappointed? Sure. But not discouraged unless you don't think the program continues to move forward under Stoops.
Ridiculous: one game as a measure of a season. Erik didn't claim a moral victory. It's a total false narrative you started.
